Seeking My Dream, Poker Star in titanic clash

Today's Eros Trophy grade one feature over 1400 metres could aptly be described as the Clash of the Titans, as it brings together the two best horses in the country - POKER STAR, the Champion Sprinter and the reigning 'Horse of the Year', SEEKING MY DREAM.

Significantly, both are trained by 15-champion Wayne DaCosta, who saddles as many of five of the six horses declared.

In addition to the Champion Sprinter and the Horse of the Year and Champion middle distance performer, also present is the 2015 Champion Stayer, PERFECT NEIGHBOUR, who is also conditioned by DaCosta.

Chances are that PERFECT NEIGHBOUR, who will not find the distance too sharp, will be overwhelmed by the star quality of SEEKING MY DREAM and POKER STAR, to be ridden by four-time champion Omar Walker and Robert Halledeen, respectively.

MOUTH-WATERING CLASH

Both need little introduction as they come face to face for this mouth-watering clash, but the Derrick Smith-owned four-year-old colt, SEEKING MY DREAM, seems that more effective going seven furlongs and having turned with bullet work after bullet work in preparation for this trophy, should catch the front running POKER STAR in deep stretch to record his third win from four starts this season.

SEEKING MY DREAM, who won the Cal's Jamaica derby a year ago, beat a star-studded field of older horses in the inaugural running of the $13.5 million Diamond Mile on December 5 last year and although asked to carry topweight of 57.0kg today, DaCosta believes that the son of Seeking The Glory and the 2008 Horse of The Year, Alsafra, is the best horse in the country.

Other firm fancies on the 10-race programme are the well prepared SIMPLY THE BEST in the opening race over the straight; JUNIOR DON to go one better in the second; DUTCHESS URIEL in the eighth; CRUCIAL APPEAL in the ninth; and down in class CAMOUFLAGE ahead of the front running SPEEDY PROCESS in the closing race over 1400 metres.